by Irene Moustakas | Jan 9, 2017 | Featured, FHA
UPDATE: THE REDUCTION IN FHA’S MORTGAGE RATES HAS BEEN SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY. In this rising interest rate environment, FHA will be passing along a little reprieve to home buyers and home owners that are securing financing through FHA. The annual insurance...
by Irene Moustakas | Dec 19, 2016 | Industry News
Effective 12/10/16, Fannie Mae’s underwriting engine is issuing out Property Inspection Waivers (PIWs) on refinances, allowing homeowners to refinance without requiring an appraisal report. This will help expedite the closing timeframe, and reduce the cost of the...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 30, 2016 | Featured, Industry News
Great news, conforming loan limits are increasing in 2017! We haven’t had an increase since 2006. (!) The new conforming loan limit will be $424,100, up from $417,000. With this increase, the high-balance loan limit will increase per county as well. For Bay Area...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 28, 2016 | Featured, Tips
If you purchased your home with less than 20% down payment on a Conventional loan, you were required to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI is a cost that protects the lender in case you default on your mortgage (stop making payments). Lenders are required...
by Irene Moustakas | Sep 27, 2016 | Featured, Industry News
The biggest change in credit reporting in 25 years is now upon us, and implemented in underwriting engines as of 9/24/16. It’s called “Trended Credit Data”. Trended Credit Data allows lenders to see your payment behavior over the past 24 months, in order to give them...